Kerala Ngandu Curry / Crab Curry

This is the only way how I make crab at home. And we buy crabs quite often. And every single time we get crabs, I call my mother for the recipe. So the scene usually goes like this. I call my Amma, and say.. “Amme…”, and Amma says.. “Ngandinte recipe aayirkkum alle?”(You are calling for the crab curry recipe isn’t it?)I start giggling and Amma says, “Ente Leji….” Somehow I never thought of by-hearting the recipe. And for some reason I felt Amma loves the process of telling the recipe! Im sure all of you would have some dishes that you even today call your mothers and ask, isn’t it? Which one is it?

This is a very flavourful and delicious curry, yes maybe I’m biased as it’s my mothers recipe. But whoever had it has always said this is the best crab curry they have had. Do give this recipe a try the next time you decide to make crabs, and do let me know how you liked it. Now let me call my Amma to get the recipe!!!

Kerala Ngandu Curry/Crab Curry

Lejna

My mothers recipe for a very flavourful and delicious Kerala crab curry.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Kerala Cuisine

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 kg Mud Crabs
• 2 nos Onions sliced
• 2 tbsp Ginger chopped
• 4 nos Green chillies sliced
• 3 no Tomato sliced
• ½ tsp Red chilli powder
• 2 tsp Coriander powder
• 2 tsp Pepper powder
• ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
• Salt as per taste

To Grind

• 2 tbsp Oil
• ¾ cup Grated coconut
• ½ tbsp Whole peppercorns
• ¼ tsp Fennel seeds
• 1 no Dry red chilli
• 2 sprigs Curry leaves

To Temper

• 3 tbsp Oil
• 1 tsp Mustard seeds
• 5-6 nos Shallots chopped
• 2 nos Dry red chillies
• 2 sprigs Curry leaves

Instructions

 

• Clean the mud crabs well as there will be a lot of dirt in between it's joints. You can use any types of crabs for this preparation.
• Add the crabs along-with sliced onions, chopped ginger, sliced green chillies, sliced tomatoes and all the masala powders in a deep kadai or earthen pot. Add ½ cup water and salt and mix everything well, close and cook it on medium flame for 15 minutes.
• Cook the crab till there is just half a cup of water in the pot. Mix it intermittently.
• While the crab is getting cooked heat oil in a small kadai. Once the oil is hot add the pepper corns, red chilli and fennel. To this add the grated coconut and saute till the coconut becomes golden brown in colour. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Once cooled grind it to a smooth paste.
• Once the crab is cooked, add the ground coconut paste to it. Mix well and check the salt level.
• Heat oil in a small kadai. Splutter mustard seeds and add the chopped shallots. Saute the shallots till it turns a bit dark. Ensure you don't burn it. Add the dry red chillies and curry leaves to it and saute for 2-3 seconds. Temper the crab curry with it.
• Your delicious crab curry is ready!

Keyword Crabs, Kerala Crab Curry, Kerala Ngandu Curry, Mub Crabs, Ngandu